Q. What type of surgery is heart?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Heart surgery, also known as cardiac surgery, is a type of surgery performed on the heart or great vessels by specialized medical professionals called cardiac surgeons. It's done to treat various heart conditions ranging from congenital defects to coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and heart failure.
There are several types of heart surgeries, each targeting different parts of the heart or addressing specific issues:
1. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): This surgery is commonly performed to treat severe coronary artery disease. During CABG, the surgeon takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body, often the leg or chest, and grafts it onto the coronary artery, bypassing the blocked or narrowed section to improve blood flow to the heart muscle.
2. Heart Valve Repair or Replacement: Heart valves regulate blood flow through the heart chambers. If a valve is diseased or damaged, it can disrupt blood flow and cause various symptoms. Surgeons may repair the valve by reshaping or reinforcing it, or replace it with an artificial valve or a biological valve from a donor.
3. Heart Transplant: In cases of severe heart failure when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, a heart transplant may be necessary. This involves replacing the diseased heart with a healthy heart from a deceased donor.
4. Aortic Aneurysm Repair: An aortic aneurysm is a bulge or weakness in the wall of the aorta, the body's main artery. If left untreated, it can rupture and lead to life-threatening bleeding. Surgery may involve repairing the weakened area or replacing the affected portion of the aorta with a synthetic graft.
5. Arrhythmia Treatment: Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms that can cause palpitations, dizziness, or fainting. Surgery may be needed to correct the underlying electrical pathways in the heart, often by creating scar tissue or using a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to regulate the heart's rhythm.
6. Congenital Heart Defect Repair: Some individuals are born with structural abnormalities in their heart, known as congenital heart defects. Surgery may be required to repair these defects and improve the heart's function.
Heart surgery is a complex procedure that requires careful planning, skilled surgeons, and advanced medical technology. While it carries risks like any surgery, it can also significantly improve a patient's quality of life and increase their longevity when successful. Rehabilitation and follow-up care are often crucial parts of the recovery process to ensure the best possible outcome.